By Lodu William Odiya
South Sudan Transitional National Legislative Assembly’s Speaker, Rt. Jemma Nunu Kumba has called on the Ministry of Finance and Planning, to prioritize medical allowances for lawmakers.
The speaker made the call during the reopening of the Assembly on Wednesday.
In addition to delay in salaries, the speaker reiterated that members of the parliament continue to suffer several medical conditions without getting treatment due to lack of the allowances.
“Those who have various medical conditions were not able to get treatment to date. I therefore appeal for the inclusion of the medical funds for the Honourable Members of Parliament in the top list of the priorities of the Ministry of Finance” Nunu appealed.
She highlighted challenges facing the members of the Assembly such as delay in salaries medical allowances, problem of means of transport and other privileges.
The speaker revealed that MPs were unable to travel to their respective constituencies during the recess due to lack of fund.
“This situation was, however, not unique to the legislature. It reflected broad physical constraints across many public sector institutions with serious implications for service delivery, particularly at the community level” she said.
She stated that despite the above, in their annual report copies there were good number of activities which had been shelved due to lack of funds.
She however commended President Kiir for his directive to the economic cluster in institutions to prioritize the payment of civil servants and organized forces.
“I also want to thank the Vice President and Chairperson of the Economic Classes, His Excellency Dr. Benjamin Bournemouth, for the effective and efficient implementation of this directive. However, civil servants are faced with the challenge of accessing the salaries due to liquidity shortage” she explained.
Meanwhile, President Salva Kiir on his remark said the country’s economy had faced serious challenges adding that the recent temporary shutdown of oil production has strained the nation’s finances and delayed salary payments.
“I have instructed the Vice President in charge of the Economic Cluster to prioritize timely salary payments for civil servants and organized forces and to ensure the full restoration of essential public services” Kiir said.
He called on the members of Parliament to work with unity, collaboration, urgency, and Honor.
There has been a several call on Ministry of Finance to release medical allowances for MPs as some of them condition to endured sickness due to lack of money.
Last year, former parliament spokesperson John Agany called for the payment of their medical allowances, arguing that the funds should be prioritized over the 14th edition of the East African Inter-Parliamentary Games.
According to the lawmaker, MPs were only paid $15,000 each medical allowances in August 2023, leaving each with a balance for their 2021/2022 financial year.
Meanwhile, TNLA official spokesperson Oliver Mori Benjamin noted that at least one MP died every three months due to poor health.